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Smucker Votes to Increase Troop Pay

March 9, 2017

Press Release

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-16) voted last night for the bipartisan Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which includes a 2.1 percent pay raise for our service members and $583.7 billion in discretionary funding for FY17.

“This legislation is critical to preparing our troops for combat and peacetime missions,” said Rep. Smucker. “In addition to enhancing medical care and benefits to our military personnel, their families, and retirees, it provides a well-deserved pay raise for the brave men and women who protect our homeland each and every day. I am proud to support this bill, and will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find new ways to support our active duty military and veterans.”

Background

In addition to the 2.1 percent pay raise and $583.7 billion in total discretionary funding for FY17, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act includes:

$215.3 billion for readiness programs that will be used to address shortfalls in our nation’s defense like flight time and training

$600.7 million for our greatest ally, Israel, to continue to support the Israeli Cooperative Program and the nation’s missile defense capabilities

$72.7 billion for research and development to keep our military on the cutting edge of defense technology, $2.5 billion above FY16 levels